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East Timorese farmers gave themselves a holiday bonus recently, when they were able to increase their market income by a factor of 12.
A fairer price for crops will help this community give their children the things they need, like education and healthcare |
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> Economic Justice
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Using traditional agricultural practices, the farmers from Aileu district had been selling grain for US$5 per bundle. Their grain was then transported to the capital city Dili where it was sold at much higher prices to market vendors.
World Vision believed that these farmers were not getting a fair deal. They invited them to attend training on marketing and negotiation skills so they could take a greater role in pricing their produce.
Then, accompanied by project leader Edi Chandra, the farmers set out on their first trip to Dili to test their newly-acquired techniques.
“Previously, the farmers in Aileu were selling to buyers coming up from Dili who were quite clearly giving them misinformation about the value of their produce,” says Edi. “With bargaining skills and awareness of Dili prices and demand, the farmers have now gained market access and understand how to increase their income with current yields.”
The farmers discovered that they were able to sell their produce for a remarkable US$60 a bundle, not the US $5 they were accustomed to.
There were great celebrations in the World Vision office compound in Dili as the farmers raced back to share the news with the staff.
“It is so great to see the control they now have over their own income!” says Edi proudly. “They are aware of what they can achieve. They have decided to sell their produce by kilos, not bundles, and to invest in transportation from Aileu down to Dili."
As well as continuing this training with other farmers in the district, World Vision has started a system of market price boards in rural markets to update farmers on fair prices based on Dili fluctuations.
“They are already producing good quality and adequate yields to provide for their families,” explains Edi. “Their food crops are entirely organic - they just needed support to empower their choices and decisions.”
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